Penticton

One of the founders of the Okanagan Hockey Academy has joined the group’s charitable foundation.

Larry Lund, who founded the hockey school in 1963, is joining the board of the Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation along with Michael Hildebrand, president of Univar Canada.

“I believe the additions of Larry and Michael will offer us a broader perspective on how to achieve our goals of inspiring leadership opportunities through education and hockey,” said Michael O’Connor, chairperson of the OHCF. “They are a great addition to our group.”

Lund’s and Hildebrand’s first task at hand, along with the entire board, is focusing on fundraising initiatives to provide opportunities to student athletes that come from families facing financial barriers.

“I am looking to help build a sustainable legacy in providing financial aid to deserving young student athletes that will assist them reach their educational and athletic goals,” said Lund, who also enjoyed a successful career in the WHL, CPHL, IHL, AHL and World Hockey Association for 459 games.

The foundation received charitable states in 2017 has supported 40 families to date in seeing kids attend hockey camps or academies.

“Understanding how dedicated this group is to helping young men and women off the ice is something I can stand behind with tremendous pride,” said Hildebrand, who watched firsthand how the Okanagan Hockey Academy made an impact on his son Nolan, on and off the ice.

“This provides me an opportunity to give back to something I truly believe in and I know the programs make such a difference in young people’s lives.”